A Hollywood producer charged with intercourse crimes was remanded into custody Tuesday after a choose characterised him as a possible hazard to society.
Eric Weinberg, finest recognized for his work as co-executive producer of the TV present “Scrubs,” was led away in handcuffs by a deputy after pleading not responsible to 18 felony counts of rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual battery, false imprisonment, assault by means to trigger nice bodily hurt and sexual penetration by a international object.
Weinberg was rearrested this month after prosecutors expanded earlier prices in opposition to him to incorporate the claims of 5 extra ladies. He had been free in lieu of $5-million bail following an arrest in July.
Greater than half a dozen ladies have made allegations during the last seven years that Weinberg, 62, lured them to his dwelling, typically beneath the guise of a photograph shoot, earlier than restraining and sexually assaulting them, in accordance with police interviews and data obtained by The Occasions.
Calling him a hazard to society and particular ladies, Deputy Dist. Atty. Marlene Martinez advised a choose that Weinberg used his standing as a Hollywood producer and author to “manipulate these ladies.” In requesting that he be remanded, she mentioned he's a flight threat and must be locked up.
Martinez mentioned that along with the 5 Jane Doe victims included within the prices in opposition to Weinberg, no less than two different ladies have made allegations which can be being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Division, and the division has obtained 70 ideas.
Philip Cohen, an legal professional for Weinberg, mentioned his shopper has proved he's not a flight threat as he has been beneath investigation for a while and remained within the jurisdiction. Cohen argued that digital monitoring and home arrest had been viable alternate options.
Weinberg initially was arrested July 14 in reference to allegations of sexual assault, together with rape, between 2012 and 2019. LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz mentioned the division recognized no less than eight ladies Weinberg might have victimized.
Following that arrest, he was launched in lieu of $3.5-million bail earlier than being arrested a second time Oct. 4 beneath extra expansive prices, with bail elevated to $5 million.
Los Angeles County Superior Courtroom Choose Victoria Wilson agreed Tuesday with the prosecutor, calling Weinberg a possible serial rapist. She rejected the suggestion of holding him in his dwelling, noting that it's the place among the alleged crimes occurred.
Weinberg’s attorneys have denied all wrongdoing on the a part of their shopper, calling the ladies’s declarations a “blatant smear marketing campaign” with “unconscionable and unsubstantiated allegations” which can be designed to painting him within the “most horrendous mild.”
Micha Star Liberty, a Bay Space civil rights legal professional who represents among the accusers, mentioned in a press release that she was “grateful that the district legal professional has acted in furtherance of accountability.”
“The numerous variety of victims and the horrific impression inflicted upon these ladies is not going to go unremediated,” she mentioned. “We is not going to relaxation till there's justice.”
In response to police and court docket data, Weinberg lured ladies from espresso bars, supermarkets and a Los Feliz pie store to his Edgemont Avenue dwelling. Detectives have mentioned Weinberg would strategy ladies of their 20s and 30s and arrange picture shoots with them. Typically he talked about his profession in Hollywood.
After one encounter, a lady started utilizing a Fb group to warn others about Weinberg’s alleged habits, in accordance with a declaration filed in household court docket. Los Angeles police had investigated Weinberg on suspicion of sexual assault on two events earlier than his July arrest, data present.
LAPD investigators beforehand introduced instances to prosecutors involving allegations that Weinberg raped ladies in April and August of 2014, however the district legal professional’s workplace declined to prosecute, citing inadequate proof, in accordance with court docket data and police.
Weinberg labored as a producer or screenwriter on 92 episodes of “Scrubs” from 2001 to 2007. He additionally served as a producer on “Veronica’s Closet,” “Californication” and “Anger Administration,” in addition to “Males at Work,” which starred Danny Masterson, who has additionally been charged with sexual abuse of ladies. Masterson is on trial for rape in the identical downtown courthouse and can be represented by Cohen.
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